NEW FARMINGTON WOODS MOTTO: CAVEAT EMPTOR

I've been getting a lot of email since the budget passed last month from residents concerned about the crumbling infrastructure of Farmington Woods. One writer expressed concern that though she has been fighting for driveway repairs for months with little success, the budget contains $43K for new cart paths on the course. Another put in a work order to have the disintegrating sidewalk in front of his group of units repaired. When he checked back a few weeks later, he was told that the work would be done after Memorial Day. The last reply he got was that "there was no money for the repairs."

These people are understandably furious. Money for cart paths, but none for sidewalks and driveway repair? Why is it so hard to get the boards and committees here to understand that this is a residential community 100% of the year and used as a golf course about 50% of the year, weather permitting. The golf course is a money pit draining resources from the residential community that could be used for the overall improvement of our units, roadways, sidewalks and grounds.

A living example of this disparity occurred yesterday when I got home at 4pm and decided to have a cool drink outside. As I stepped out onto my deck I noticed that the trash that is routinely left under the light pole across from my deck hadn't been picked up yet. This is a pet peeve of mine as there's been times I had to stare at junk like this for days on end. Of course having trash picked up and disposed of in a timely fashion.is something we pay for with fees and taxes. Otherwise we'd all be living in a huge junkyard. So I was less than happy with the sight:

Not that I hadn't seen it before:

But today was a beautifully warm summer day so I decided to sit in the opposite direction and try to forget about it. The opposite direction happens to look out over the second hole and I could see a golfer enjoying his solitary game on the clutter-free beauty that is the Farmington Woods Golf Course on this gorgeous day:

The contrast was striking: the lone golfer enjoying his rounds on the course that I subsidize to the tune of about $700 a year while the trash that I pay condo fees and taxes to have removed sits in full view of myself, my neighbors and even the real estate agent and her client that had to walk by it to get to the unit they were looking at. They didn't stay long. It was even visible at night when the light on the pole came on.

By the way, I called the office and was promised it would be removed before the end of the day (as the by-laws state) but it didn't get removed until this morning. I was very glad we weren't having guests over for cocktails on the deck this particular evening. But it got me thinking about the fees and taxes we pay here and where they go:

They don't go to repair this kind of stuff:

Or to dredge ponds like this:

Or to remove bee infested tree stumps from two years ago:

Or finish the repair of the sidewalk in front of my unit which was fixed "temporarily" eight months ago:

For that matter there's no money to replace the "invisible shield" that's supposed to protect us near the guardhouse, with a real sidewalk. Nope, not enough money for this. Give us our cart paths!

So, after thinking about all the things we don't have money to replace or improve I sat down with my copy of "In the Woods" and came across an article written by Richard Oatman, member of the Public Works Committee, which describes its mission as follows: "The Public Works Committee develops and administers a program to preserve, protect, and enhance the physical assets and infrastructure of Farmington Woods. They oversee the maintenance and improvements to our grounds, buildings, and facilities and provide long range plans to ensure the physical and economic well being of our community."

While reading the article it was hard to believe that it was written by a man whose mission as previously stated is to serve the entire community of Farmington Woods. Instead, what I read sounded more like an admonition from the assistant principal of my old high school: "I know what's good for you because I'm the authority here. There are no alternatives, so get over it". After admitting that the bond had been voted down by a wide margin, he tried to discount the whole process by saying that he "heard from many people" in the lead-up to the vote who were concerned about losing the golf course. Since 337 people voted for the irrigation bond it's conceivable that he heard from that many residents, but somehow I doubt it. On the other hand 684 people voted against it, but they don't count to him.

As I continued to read the article the usual propaganda started to appear, only this time with the aforementioned authoritarian tone:  "As pointed out at the May MA Board meeting, anyone purchasing a Unit in FW, by default, becomes an owner of the golf course, as well and, as such becomes responsible for the maintenance, repair and upkeep of the course the same as any other portion of the Common Element." By default? And now, as long as it's "pointed out" at an MA Board meeting it becomes the law of the land?

I'm sorry, but I'm not the only person who bought a condo in Farmington Woods who was told the golf course was self-supporting. I get those kinds of emails every day. So I'd like Mr. Oatman to show me the paperwork he received informing him of this when he purchased his unit or the agreement he signed taking responsibility for the golf course. And how is it a common element if we can't even walk on it? Isn't that what a common element is for, common use? At the May meeting Mr. Oatman even proclaimed that anyone who walked on the course was committing the crime of trespass.

So, this man who serves on a committee whose mission is to preserve the beauty and infrastructure of all of Farmington Woods is fine with taking money that should be used to fix things (see above) and pouring it into the Money Pit known as Farmington Woods Golf Club. Has a cost/benefit analysis been done to determine if using the land as a golf course (and appropriating millions from unit owners over the years to keep it going) is even a viable option? It's not just the economy that's sick. The game of golf is on a respirator and these folks want us to give it our oxygen!

We've been told over and over again that the course belongs to the residents. If that's so, then the residents should decide what to do with it. Are we going to continue to support the course, so that the few can enjoy their game while the rest of the place goes in need of repair? Or are we going to finally give residents a say in the future of the place they call home. When did the survival of a course used six months a year determine the future viability of Farmington Woods as a community? When and where is it stated that we are stuck with the course forever regardless of cost?

The answer is that it is nowhere stated that Farmington Woods must remain a golf community forever. As a matter of fact there's even a clause in the Declarations that allows other uses for the land: Article XVIII, Section 8f states: "nothing in this Declaration of Condominium shall be deemed to restrict the use of the golf course as a Golf Facility."

So if we, the residents actually own the course as the boards say, what would be wrong with having a real referendum, with legitimate alternatives for use of course/clubhouse to finally determine how residents really feel? Enough with the anecdotal responses. Let's make it democratic and if the majority still wants to keep a losing operation going at the expense of not only their wallets, but the condition of the units, grounds and infrastructure of Farmington Woods, so be it. Until then we're living like children, with the authoritarians here telling us what we need and what we're going to give up to keep it going.

And for people who were so concerned about the reputation of Farmington Woods that they wanted to hire a Public Relations firm to counter the bad press of the past few months? I can only say that articles like Mr. Oatman's will keep potential buyers away in droves. If people really want to live in a place where they have little to say about their situation and no chance of changing things, there's always Cuba. I hear they have nice golf courses there.



Comments? You're welcome to email me at 2chewman@gmail.com.

WORST CASE SCENARIO

I don't know how many times I've heard someone affiliated with golf here at Farmington Woods ask ominously "have you ever seen an abandoned golf course?" in an effort to stifle all discussion that involves possible alternative uses of the course. After all, who would want to live adjacent to a lot filled, not with the beauty of golf carts and golfers dressed to the nines, but nature left undisturbed, growing wildly. Can you imagine the horror?

Well, now you can stop imagining and take a look for yourself. Opened in 1932 and designed by Jack Ross, a professional golfer from Scotland, Canton Public Golf Course was a popular attraction until 2003 when the owners sold the land where the Shoppes at Farmington Valley now stand. Next time you're at Kohl's drive to the back of the parking lot and take a look. You'll be surprised what you see.

According to golfcourseranking.com:
http://www.golfcourseranking.com/courses/2063/connecticut/canton/06019/canton_public_golf_course_-_closed_2003.html "it was a VERY nice, well kept, 9 hole, full length golf course. It was not a short or especially easy course, but was a good challenge, especially it's sixth "hill". The greens were among the best conditioned and several were very undulated, ala Augusta!"

And then one day in 2003, the Lowell family, owners for 70 years, got an offer from a developer that they couldn't refuse: $4.7M for the land upon which the Shoppes at Farmington Valley now sit. The mall covers much of what was once the course, but the area to the south is a concrete example of just what an "eyesore" an abandoned course can be.

Of course, the greenies of Farmington Woods would want to keep it as a well groomed park, but that costs money. And we all know there's no available money in the budget for anything unrelated to golf. For golf, there is always "magic" to be worked and voila: available money.

So, if you can't make the ride up to Kohl's this week, here's a couple of pictures I took with my cell phone a month ago. Keep in mind some of this land has been left "abandoned"  since 2003:

And if that isn't enough of an "eyesore" for you, check this out:

Of course, all of this pales in comparison to the well groomed common areas just outside the perimeter of Farmington Woods Golf  Course:

Or the landscaped beauty of our common garden areas:



This blog was started to defeat the "twenty year debt sentence" that the board wanted to hang on us in order to keep the golf operation going indefinitely. We defeated the bonds, but do we really have what it takes to wrest control of the future of Farmington Woods from the golf clique?

Seems to me that the abandoned Canton Public Golf Course is looking better these days than some areas of our community. Unfortunately, many residents appear satisfied with the status quo, so it's business as usual at Farmington Woods: the Finance committee recently recommended (after its Chairman, a golfer, broke a 3-3 tie in the voting) a $45.5K expenditure for a partial repair of the irrigation system and they have no idea where the money will come from.

I think I can answer their query: It comes from us, all of us. And we all pay, one way or another, to keep the "money pit" that is golf at Farmington Woods, alive and well fed, with our hard earned dollars. We'd rather do that than to expose ourselves to the criticism of our neighbors. I can tell you from experience, it's not that bad. The people who shun me now, weren't friends in the first place. Life's too short to worry about them anyway.

Public Enemy wrote in the 90's "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." I guess it's up to each of us to decide what's worth standing for and what isn't. Since I couldn't cure cancer or mandate world peace, I took on this mission. And I can honestly say, with a thanks to all who helped, Mission Accomplished! 

Comments? You're welcome to email me at 2chewman@gmail.com.

HOW TO TURN A TURKEY CLUB INTO UNUSED MINIMUMS

After three months of fighting and writing, the party last Sunday was a welcome relief: good times with good people. It was such an enjoyable afternoon (until the wind started up) that it's been hard for me to gin up the edge needed to write this blog.

To the rescue comes an anonymous letter from a resident who wonders, like so many, how an operation that is subsidized by each resident to the tune of $425 per year (including 18% gratuity) can continue to lose money on a yearly basis?

It starts with minimums. During my research of the last few months I came across an article regarding minimums at country clubs, yacht clubs, golf clubs and the like. The concensus of managers of these clubs, many very high end, is that members just plain hate minimums, whether they are $25 or $125.

They tend to use them at the end of the month and expect outstanding service and and of course good food, for their money. In fact, many clubs are forgoing minimums altogether. They'd rather have happy diners than disgruntled members.

At Farmington Woods we're not only are asked to keep this money losing operation alive with our minimums, but are required to dress as golfers if we happen to be a male diner. Think I'm kidding?

Look up the dress code for the club, changed in 2007 to say that men must wear "golf attire" when using the clubhouse. So, if you're not a golfer, not only do you get to support a course that you don't use, but you are required to wear a golf "costume" while supporting it's clubhouse. 

What I can't figure out is which pair of "whale pants" to wear while dining and whether to wear a "collared shirt" as required or try to slip by with one of those mock collars made popular by Tiger Woods?

Boy, it sure doesn't take much to get me back in the writing groove. But I'll let my anonymous author relate an experience that says lots about why people hate minimums, especially at Farmington Woods.

May 31, 2012

It was brought up at one of the bond meetings about the staggering amount of residents who do not use their $30 a month fee at the restaurant.  Perhaps the following will be one explanation.

Yesterday, a resident in the “younger demographic” called from her car (I was with her) to the restaurant at 2:50 pm on speakerphone.  Here is how the conversation went:

1. Long period of ringing, followed by a dropped telephone onto a hard surface.
2. Then, “Farmington woods”.  When she asked if this was indeed the restaurant, said younger resident was told yes.  No sorry for the dropped phone, no ID of who answered the phone, no explanation of why no “Farmington woods restaurant” in the greeting.
3. Said resident asked if she could place an order for a turkey club for pickup.  She was told no, it was month end and not allowed.  She was then told they were “absolutely swamped” and she would have to come into the restaurant to place her order.  We were at the front gate, so she drove on over.  Keep in mind the time of 2:50 pm. 
4. In the parking lot were a total of four cars.  FOUR CARS.  She went inside and discovered that the DR was empty, the patio was empty, the bar was empty, and one table in the pub had people done with sandwiches and ready to leave.
5. No functions upstairs.
6. She placed her order and was told to wait at the bar.  She chose to return to her car for the ten minutes it took for the sandwich to be made.  Then she returned to pick it up.

Yes, it is month end, and understandable if the call was made during the busy time of dinner and after golf, or if there actually were diners utilizing the restaurant.  But it wasn’t.  It was 2:50 pm when the call was made.  The club was, for all intents and purposes, empty.  The parking lot contained 4 cars.

No apology was made for the dropped phone, nor the improper way it was answered, nor the identity of the receiver offered.

Under these circumstances the order for one turkey club could have been taken.  Instead, you end up with one very unhappy younger resident whose comment to me was “no wonder the restaurant is underused, I really can’t be bothered again”. 

Can you make it any more difficult to get a turkey club from an empty restaurant just because it is month end? 

Comments? You're welcome to email me at 2chewman@gmail.com.

PARTY IS ON FOR SUNDAY, JUNE 3RD

After searching the internet I finally found a forecast that went along with my wife's optimistic attitude about everything:  It's going to clear up for our party at Byron Pool tomorrow! Noon to 4pm and don't forget your red pool tags. 

I got a call from the pool manager yesterday to remind me of the rules, which I promptly read off to him. He sounds like a good guy. Must have been told to call me.

See you there. We have everything we need: beer, wine, soda, wraps and pizza is coming tomorrow. Let's get together, celebrate our victory and have some fun.

CHANGE? WE DON'T NEED NO STINKIN' CHANGE!

Must be frustrating to be a successful professional like my friend, Peter Janus, who, having experienced life in the real world of the 21st Century, sees a problem and lays out an alternative strategy, only to have his ideas, energy and input totally ignored by the Status Quotians on both the condo and district boards. His plan for change didn't even get a mention at the monthly board meetings.

I get it. They don't want their little empire disturbed. After all, the Middle Ages are just fine with them. They get to hunt on the King's Land, as the rest of us peasants give a portion of our crops to his Majesty the King: Golf.

Anyway, I'd like to thank him personally for his efforts and give all of you a chance to see at least one of the alternatives that people who actually reside in the second decade of the 21st Century have come up with to solve the problems associated with socialized golf and restauranteurism.

One of these decades the folks in charge, who I can guarantee you are all for Capitalism and the Free Market in their personal financial dealings, will come to the realization that Farmington Woods and its golf enterprise should follow the rules of the American economic system: sink or swim. It's called Free Enterprise. What we have is anything but free!

It is our understanding that recently Al Miller resigned from his position as General Manager of Farmington Woods. In light of this development, we, the undersigned, recommend that the Executive Board defer the hiring of a replacement General Manager. Instead we suggest that an interim person be retained from outside of Farmington Woods, who would serve in two capacities. The first would be as interim general manager handling the basic functions previously performed by Al Miller. The second would be to head a study focused on the golf course and clubhouse/restaurant operations with the goal of developing some recommendations for turning them around financially. Such an individual should possess the necessary background and expertise to enable him/her to serve in both capacities.

During this same period of time (estimated to be 6-9 months) we further recommend that a search committee, composed of a representative, cross section of residents, be formed with the objective of defining/refining the future responsibilities and duties of the General Manager, the compensation parameters and the performance objectives that would be applicable to this position. The search committee would coordinate its activities with the second function being handled by the interim general manager, and ultimately the search committee would initiate a nationwide search to recruit an appropriately qualified individual.

We believe it is clear from the recent overwhelming rejection of the two bonding proposals that the Farmington Woods community is demanding solutions to the golf course and clubhouse/restaurant operations. Such solutions must be developed sooner, rather than later. We believe that the departure of Al Miller presents us with a timely opportunity to address these issues. It is also important that an objective, dispassionate, third party is needed to lead this effort to both analyze the current business models and prioritize possible solutions for these operations.

Respectfully submitted:

Peter Janus, 2 Redwood Lane


By the way, this document which the board chose to ignore, was signed by 35 other Farmington Woods Residents. As they like to say, we spoke, they listened. Just not today.